Research into the potential medical benefits of marijuana-derived substances like cannabidiol (CBD) would be supported under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) with support from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is working to target military sexual assault through mandatory training on sexual assault prevention and appropriate social media usage under legislation she recently introduced. In response to estimates that nearly 15,000 service members have experienced Read more…
Family caregivers would benefit from a new tax credit to help cover related expenses under legislation recently reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) and U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). The bicameral, bipartisan Credit for Read more…
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) led a letter on Monday that highlighted the positive impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the potential consequences of abandoning the trade deal. The letter to U.S. Read more…
Recognizing the importance of international trade to American agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement of the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs was met applause from U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hoeven Read more…
President Donald Trump’s selection of Heather Wilson to serve as secretary of the Air Force was confirmed by the Senate on Monday, drawing praise from U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD). Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) introduced bicameral and bipartisan legislation to authorize qualified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health professionals to practice telemedicine across state lines, improving access to health care in rural areas. Read more…
Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue took over the reins as secretary of agriculture on Tuesday, after the Senate confirmed his appointment with support from U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Perdue’s knowledge of agriculture Read more…
Legislation led by U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ron Johnson (R-WI) and U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) would help former inmates re-enter the workforce by limiting federal contractors’ ability to inquire about criminal histories. The Fair Chance Act would prohibit Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) led a congressional call on Tuesday for support of bipartisan legislation she introduced earlier this month to require amateur athletics governing bodies to immediately report sex-abuse allegations to police. Collins was joined by U.S. Sens. Read more…
U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) praised the Trump administration’s issuing of a presidential permit that approves the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a project expected to contribute about $3.4 billion to Read more…
Hoping to ease the path for young people to explore careers in agriculture, U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) introduced bicameral legislation that would establish a tax exemption for student 4-H Read more…
Amateur athletic organizations would be required to report sexual abuse under bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Monday. Collins and Ernst joined a bipartisan group of 14 senators who introduced the bill Read more…
Senate Republican leaders lauded President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order on Tuesday that sets the stage for repealing the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule as a win for landowners and employers. U.S. Sens. Read more…
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) led a group of Republican senators in calling on the Trump administration to pursue a tough-minded and principled policy toward Russia, as well as active dialogue in areas of mutual interest. U.S. Sens. Todd Young Read more…
Bills reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Thursday would encourage equal pay through transparency and would incentivize businesses to offer paid family leave through a tax credit. The Workplace Advancement Act, which Fischer reintroduced with U.S. Sens. Joni Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced bipartisan legislation to require the Department of Defense (DoD) to track the cyber capabilities of National Guard and Reserve units to bolster national security. The DoD Emergency Response Capabilities Database Read more…
The United States needs a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS as it branches out from the Middle East to other regions, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), chair of the Senate Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, told The Ripon Advance. ISIS has Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and John McCain (R-AZ) voiced concerns about President Donald Trump’s executive action to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). With one in five jobs in Iowa dependent upon international trade, Ernst said Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) were tapped this week to lead key subcommittees of the Senate Armed Services Committee. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the chairman of the committee, announced Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and John Hoeven (R-ND) supported passage of a budget blueprint that sets in motion the repeal and replacement of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA). Approval of the budget blueprint on Thursday Read more…
Birth control could be sold over-the-counter without a prescription under legislation introduced this week by U.S. Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Mia Love (R-UT) in the House and U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) in the Senate. Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Todd Young (R-IN) and Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced legislation that would bring congressional oversight to costly regulations handed down by the executive branch. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Read more…
Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to eliminate waste and safeguard taxpayer dollars through streamlined management of federal government programs was signed into law on Friday by President Barack Obama. The Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act, Read more…
U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) raised concerns that an interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would limit the economic freedoms of farmers and ranchers. The USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Read more…
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) led a congressional call for the Obama administration to stop issuing non-emergency rules and regulations during the presidential transition. In a letter to President Obama, Gardner wrote that Americans signaled a clear and direct repudiation Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) applauded President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of retired U.S. Gen. James Mattis to serve as secretary of defense. Ernst, a combat veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and John Barrasso (R-WY) traveled to Qatar and Afghanistan over the Thanksgiving holiday to give thanks to U.S. service members stationed there. In addition to meeting with service members in Qatar, the Read more…
The death of Fidel Castro will be an opportunity for the United States to work with Cuba to restore greater freedom to its people, argued U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). The death of Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA) led members of Iowa’s congressional delegation this week in urging President-elect Donald Trump to abandon the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The WOTUS rule, Read more…
The United States can’t ignore emerging terror threats in Latin America as ISIS eyes global expansion, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently wrote in a letter to President Obama. Ahead of the president’s planned trip to Peru, Ernst raised concerns Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) has called for an update on the investigation into an Iowa combat veteran who committed suicide in July after claiming that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had turned him away. Ernst requested an update Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) took aim this week at double-digit premium increases announced for health plans purchased next year on HealthCare.gov. Premiums will increase an average 25 percent for health plans Read more…
After the White House’s release of an updated plan for local authorities to combat extremism, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) voiced disappointment recently with the administration’s lack of progress in countering violent extremism. Ernst, a member of the Senate Homeland Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sought answers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Tuesday about why the importance of Iowa flood control projects had been downgraded. In a letter to USACE Assistant Secretary Read more…
The House approved bipartisan legislation on Thursday that U.S. Rep. Todd Young (R-IN) introduced to reduce government waste by applying private-sector performance standards to federal programs and projects. The Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act, H.R. 2144, which Young introduced Read more…
Congressional leaders reacted to the Department of State’s admission on Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent upon Iran’s release of U.S. prisoners. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) said that despite “seven months of denial” from Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) sought answers on Tuesday following the release of a report that found that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients in Iowa had been assigned to “ghost panels.” A report by the VA Office of Inspector Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) called a recent report’s findings that intelligence on ISIS may have been manipulated to create a more favorable depiction of U.S. antiterrorism efforts “alarming.” Ernst and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) called for an investigation Read more…
U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) reacted on Wednesday to reports that the Obama administration paid Iran $400 million in January. The Obama administration allegedly orchestrated a secret airlift of $400 million in cash Read more…
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) led a bipartisan call on Tuesday for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise a proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule that could limit access to Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) led a bipartisan call on Monday for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take action to end discrimination against U.S. turkey exports resulting from a last year’s bird flu outbreak. Last year’s Highly Read more…
Legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Thursday would help hold illegal immigrants responsible for crimes that lead to serious injury or death. Sarah’s Law, named for 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was killed by Read more…
U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA) and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) expressed concern on Wednesday following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found that 30 percent of text messages sent to the Veterans Crisis Line went unanswered. “The GAO’s Read more…
Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Monday would eliminate the red tape leading to long waits for veterans scheduling medical appointments. The Faster Care for Veterans Act, S. 3043, introduced by Ernst and U.S. Sen. Amy Read more…
The Senate approved that National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday, which includes the Pentagon’s first major update in 30 years and defense acquisition reforms that aim to harness innovation. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the chairman of the Senate Read more…
President Barack Obama signed bipartisan legislation into law on Friday that was led by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) to give female pilots inurnment rights at Arlington National Cemetery. The Women Air Force Service Read more…
Lawmakers voiced concerns on Wednesday with the EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2017, which specify levels of renewable fuels that must be added to gasoline and diesel fuel. Under the EPA’s proposed rule, 18.8 billion gallons of renewable Read more…
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) on Monday would allow employees to discuss compensation with colleagues in an effort to ensure equal compensation for equal work. The Workplace Advancement Act, H.R. 5237, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Read more…
An energy and water appropriations bill approved by the Senate on Thursday includes key provisions led by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rob Portman (R-OH) and John Hoeven (R-ND). The 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill Read more…